American Health Care Act Passage Places Lives at Risk

The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the American Health Care Act, legislation advanced by the Trump administration and Republican leaders to repeal key provisions of the Affordable Care Act and remake health care across the country. The legislation reduces Medicaid funding, allows states to opt out of requiring coverage for essential care, and waives requirements that insurance companies grant coverage to patients with pre-existing conditions.

The following is attributable to Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union:

“Trumpcare isn’t health care; it is a thinly veiled assault on public health that would put millions of hard-working Americans at risk because they simply can’t afford basic health care or the insurance to pay for it. The full scope of the bill has been shrouded in secrecy, but there’s no hiding its devastating attempt to reverse the progress of the past few years, and put the health and well-being of millions of people at risk, especially those with pre-existing conditions and disabilities. Shamefully, it seeks to put the most important women’s health care provider in the nation – Planned Parenthood – out of business.”

“The sustained assault from Washington our health, and on women in particular, makes it all the more important for New York to step up and protect the health of all New Yorkers. That makes passing the New York State Reproductive Health Act and the Comprehensive Contraceptive Coverage Act more urgent than ever.”